12x20 Carport: 240 Sq Ft, What Fits and When to Size Up
CarportBay Editorial Team Last verified
A 12x20 carport is 12 feet wide and 20 feet long, which gives 240 square feet of cover. It is the standard single-vehicle size and fits one car, SUV or pickup. Longer crew-cab trucks, such as the 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 standard bed at 241.4 inches, exceed 20 feet, so check your vehicle first.
On this page
| Attribute | 12x20 carport |
|---|---|
| Width | 12 ft (144 in) |
| Length | 20 ft (240 in) |
| Covered area | 240 sq ft |
| Capacity | One car, SUV or pickup under 20 ft long |
| Leg heights listed | 6 ft to 20 ft, by seller (see Table 3) |
| Label variants | 12x20, 12 x 20, and 12x21 at some sellers |
| Last verified | October 2026 |
Other sizes are listed under carport dimensions in feet and inches.
How big is a 12x20 carport?
A 12x20 carport measures 12 feet wide by 20 feet long, or 144 by 240 inches, which is 240 square feet of covered area. The first number is the width and the second is the length. Multiply the two to get the area, and divide feet by 12 to convert inches.
Those sizes are nominal. The legs and frame take some room, so the clear width between posts is a little smaller than 144 in, and the seller's specification gives the exact figure. Every number on this page uses the nominal footprint, so read spare length and side room as upper limits.
For every footprint in one place, see CarportBay's carport sizing guide. Read about carport sizes by vehicle type to see how each size maps to cars, SUVs and trucks.
What fits in a 12x20 carport?
A 12x20 carport holds one vehicle shorter than 20 feet: the Camry, RAV4 and F-150 SuperCrew checked here fit, and the Silverado 1500 crew cab does not. Table 1 prints the arithmetic from published dimensions, in inches. Spare length is 240 in minus the vehicle length, and side room is 144 in minus the vehicle width.
| Vehicle | Length (in) | Width (in) | Height (in) | Spare length (in) | Side room (in) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Toyota Camry | 194 | 72 body | 57 | 46 | 72 (36 each side) | Fits |
| 2025 Toyota RAV4 | 180.9 | 73.0 (mirrors not stated) | 67.2 | 59.1 | 71.0 (35.5 each side) | Fits |
| 2024 Ford F-150 SuperCrew (67.1 in bed) | 232.0 | 79.9 body, 95.7 mirrors out | 75.4 | 8.0 | 48.3 mirrors out (24.2 each side) | Tight |
| 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 crew cab (standard bed) | 241.4 | 81.1 body | 75.4 | -1.4 (too long) | 62.9 (31.5 each side) | Does not fit |
Side room is measured to the widest published width, which is mirrors out for the F-150. The Camry and Silverado widths are body only, and the RAV4 listing does not say whether its width includes mirrors. A gap under 30 in on each side is marked tight.
Cars and SUVs
A 12x20 carport leaves 46 inches of spare length for a 2025 Toyota Camry and 59.1 inches for a 2025 Toyota RAV4. The Camry is 194 in long and 72 in wide, so side room is 72 in, or 36 in on each side if centered. The RAV4 is 180.9 in long and 73.0 in wide, which leaves 71.0 in of side room and 35.5 in on each side.
Both leave more than 30 in on each side, so neither is marked tight. Parking off center changes the split, not the total.
Full-size pickups
A 12x20 carport leaves 8.0 inches of spare length for a 2024 Ford F-150 SuperCrew with a 67.1 in bed. The truck is 232.0 in long, and 95.7 in wide with mirrors out (79.9 in without them). The 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 crew cab with a standard bed is 241.4 in long, so it runs 1.4 in past the 240 in roof.
Crew-cab Silverados with a shorter bed are shorter overall, so the bed length decides the result. Check the cab and bed on your own truck's specification before you rely on Table 1.
How many cars fit in a 12x20 carport?
A 12x20 carport fits one vehicle; two 2025 Camrys side by side measure 144 inches without mirrors, exactly the carport width. That leaves no room to open a door. End to end, the two measure 388 in (32.3 ft), well past the 240 in length. For footprints built around one vehicle, see single-car carport sizes.
How much side room is there?
A 12x20 carport leaves 48.3 inches of total side room for an F-150 SuperCrew with mirrors out. That is 24.2 in on each side if the truck is centered, or 64.1 in (32.1 in each side) to the body without mirrors. The checker below runs the same arithmetic for a vehicle you choose.
Choose a vehicle and a leg height to see spare length, side room and height clearance in a 12 ft by 20 ft carport.
Worked examples from the same data follow, with 7 ft legs assumed for height only.
- 2025 Toyota Camry: 194 in long, 72 in wide. Inside a 12x20 carport (240 in long, 144 in wide) that leaves 46 in of length and 72 in of total side room (36 in each side if centered).
- 2025 Toyota RAV4: 180.9 in long, 73.0 in wide. Inside a 12x20 carport (240 in long, 144 in wide) that leaves 59.1 in of length and 71.0 in of total side room (35.5 in each side if centered).
- 2024 Ford F-150 SuperCrew (67.1 in bed): 232.0 in long, 95.7 in wide with mirrors. Inside a 12x20 carport (240 in long, 144 in wide) that leaves 8.0 in of length and 48.3 in of total side room (24.2 in each side if centered).
- 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 crew cab (standard bed): 241.4 in long, 81.1 in wide. Inside a 12x20 carport (240 in long, 144 in wide) it runs 1.4 in past the length, so it does not fit. Side room across is 62.9 in (31.5 in each side if centered).
How does a 12x20 compare with the sizes next to it?
A 12x20 carport suits one vehicle, while a 12x24 adds 48 square feet and a 20x20 adds 160 for two vehicles. The right size depends on how many you park. Table 2 compares five footprints by area, by the side room a Camry and an F-150 keep, and by the spare length the Silverado crew cab has.
| Size | Area (sq ft) | Change from 12x20 (sq ft) | Camry side room (in) | F-150 side room, mirrors out (in) | Silverado spare length (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10x20 | 200 | -40 | 48.0 | 24.3 | -1.4 |
| 12x20 | 240 | 0 | 72.0 | 48.3 | -1.4 |
| 12x24 | 288 | +48 | 72.0 | 48.3 | 46.6 |
| 18x20 | 360 | +120 | 144.0 | 120.3 | -1.4 |
| 20x20 | 400 | +160 | 168.0 | 144.3 | -1.4 |
Length is what changes the truck answer. The Silverado runs 1.4 in past a 20 ft roof, and every 20 ft footprint in Table 2 shares that result, while a 12x24 leaves 46.6 in to spare. See 12x24 size and fit for the full margins.
Width is what changes the door room. A 10x20 saves 40 square feet and leaves 48.0 in of side room for a Camry, which can suit a narrow driveway. The 10x20 carport page covers that footprint.
For two vehicles, a 20x20 adds 160 square feet and is the usual starting point. The 20x20 carport page shows door gaps by model. A middle option is the 18x20 footprint at 360 square feet.
Why is the same carport listed as 12x20 and 12x21?
A 12x20 carport can carry a 12x21 label at some sellers. Coast to Coast Carports titles one product 12x20, lists its length as 21 feet in the specification table and uses 12x21 in the page address. This was seen on October 5, 2026.
The difference is one foot of length and 12 square feet, so a 12x21 covers 252 sq ft against 240. One example does not show an industry pattern, and the other listings in Table 3 use 12x20 as the label.
The extra foot can change a result. A 21 ft length would hold the Silverado crew cab with 10.6 in to spare. Read the length line in the specification table, not the title, and search for both labels when you compare prices.
What does a 12x20 carport cost?
A 12x20 carport was listed from $1,199.99 to $2,685 on October 5, 2026, depending on seller, leg height and what the price includes. Table 3 gives the seller, product, listed price, delivery and installation status and date for six listings.
| Seller | Product | Listed price | Delivery and installation | Date checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tractor Supply Co. | 12 ft x 20 ft steel carport, 7 ft side wall | $1,199.99 (listed regular $1,349.99) | Not listed with the product; delivery carries a handling fee | 2026-10-05 |
| Alan's Factory Outlet | 12x20 Regular Roof Carport | $1,295 | Free delivery and installation listed | 2026-10-05 |
| Keen's Buildings | 12x20 Carport | From $1,620 installed (range $1,620 to $2,820) | Delivered and installed | 2026-10-05 |
| Alan's Factory Outlet | 12x20 Vertical Roof Metal Carport | $1,695 | Free delivery and installation listed for covered states | 2026-10-05 |
| Coast to Coast Carports | 12x20 Regular Style Carport | From $1,695 | Free delivery and installation listed | 2026-10-05 |
| Direct Metal Structures | 12x20 Metal Carport, 7 ft eave | From $2,685 (varies by state) | Delivery and installation included | 2026-10-05 |
These are listings, not quotes, and sellers change them. Two rows say from, so the final price depends on the options chosen.
A kit price covers the structure, while a price that includes installation adds labor and delivery. Leg height and frame gauge move the price too. Keen's Buildings lists 12 or 14 gauge tubing, and Alan's Factory Outlet lists 14 gauge as standard with a 12 gauge option.
A 12x20x7 listing and a 12x20x12 listing describe different carports, so compare the same leg height and the same inclusions. For the seller roles behind each price, see how carports are sold: manufacturer versus dealer.
Leg height, roof and configuration options at 12x20
A 12x20 carport is sold with leg heights from 6 to 16 feet at Alan's Factory Outlet, and a 6-foot leg is lower than a 2024 Ford F-150 SuperCrew at 75.4 inches. Keen's Buildings lists legs up to 20 ft, while Tractor Supply Co. and Direct Metal Structures list 7 ft.
Clearance is the leg height times 12 minus the vehicle height, measured to the eave. At 6 ft legs (72 in) the Camry has 15.0 in and the RAV4 has 4.8 in. The F-150 stands 3.4 in and the Silverado 3.4 in taller than the legs. At 7 ft legs (84 in) the figures are 27.0 in, 16.8 in and 8.6 in for both trucks. The roof edge sits lower than the eave, so real clearance there is smaller.
Roof style changes the profile, not the footprint. Alan's Factory Outlet lists both a regular roof and a vertical roof at 12x20, at the prices in Table 3. A portable 12x20 carport, a lean-to that attaches to a wall and a heavy duty build use the same footprint. Each changes how the frame is built or anchored, so read the seller's specification.
Does a 12x20 carport need a permit?
A 12x20 carport covers 240 square feet, above the 200 square feet that the model International Residential Code (IRC), 2021 text, R105.2, exempts for one-story detached accessory structures. That is 40 square feet over the line, so a permit applies under that text unless a local rule says otherwise.
Cities and counties adopt their own code editions and thresholds, and an exemption from a permit does not authorize a code violation. Learn how carport permit rules work.
This is general information from the code text cited above. Confirm current requirements with your local building department before beginning construction.
When a 12x20 is the wrong size
A 12x20 carport is the wrong size for two vehicles, for a crew-cab truck longer than 20 feet, or for an RV or boat that needs a wider footprint. Two Camrys use all 144 in of width, so doors would open into a leg or the next car. See two-car carport dimensions for footprints that hold two.
A truck like the Silverado at 241.4 in is 1.4 in too long, so a 12x24 or a deeper footprint suits it. Height can rule out a truck before length does, since a 6 ft leg is lower than the F-150 at 75.4 in.
An RV or boat trailer is usually taller and longer than a car. Measure the overall length including the hitch and the overall height including any roof equipment, then compare both with the seller's leg height and roof length.
12x20 carport questions
One. A 12x20 carport fits a single vehicle. Two 2025 Camrys side by side measure 144 in without mirrors, exactly the carport width, and two end to end measure 388 in (32.3 ft), well past the 240 in length. For two cars, a 20x20 is the usual starting point.
A 12x20 carport is 12 feet wide by 20 feet long, which is 240 square feet. In inches that is 144 by 240. The sizes are nominal, so the clear width between posts is a little smaller, and the seller's specification gives the exact figure.
For a 2024 Ford F-150 SuperCrew, yes, with 8.0 in of spare length and 24.2 in on each side with mirrors out. For a 2025 Silverado 1500 crew cab with a standard bed, no, by 1.4 in of length. A 6 ft leg is lower than either truck.
One foot of length and 12 square feet. Some sellers list the same footprint under either label, so read the length in the specification table. A 12x21 covers 252 sq ft against 240 sq ft for a 12x20.
List prices seen on October 5, 2026 ran from $1,199.99 to $2,685, and Table 3 names each seller and date. Price depends on the seller, leg height, frame gauge and whether delivery and installation are included, so compare like with like.
It depends on your local rule. At 240 sq ft, a 12x20 is above the 200 sq ft in the model IRC (2021 text), so a permit applies under that text unless local rules differ. Confirm current requirements with your local building department.
A 20x20 (400 sq ft) is the usual starting point for two cars. Two mid-size cars use about 144 in of width before any door room, which is the full width of a 12x20. The 20x20 carport page shows fit by model.
Next steps: build it yourself or have it installed
Your next step with a 12x20 carport depends on how much of the work you want to do. Test your own vehicle in the checker above, then confirm the frame width, clear width and leg height with the seller.
Prefer to install it yourself? Then compare 12x20 carport kits and the makers behind them. Want a seller to handle the work? Read how to have a carport delivered and installed.
Sources
Vehicle dimensions come from the listings named below, prices and specifications from each seller's own page, and the permit line from a county document that reproduces the 2021 IRC. All were read on October 5, 2026.
- Edmunds, 2024 Ford F-150 SuperCrew: length, width with and without mirrors, height, bed length.
- Cars.com, 2025 Toyota Camry: Camry dimensions, secondary listing.
- iSeeCars, 2025 Toyota RAV4: RAV4 dimensions, secondary listing.
- Dimensions.com, Silverado 1500 Crew Cab: Silverado dimensions, secondary listing.
- Grant County, WA, IRC 2021 R105.2: 200 sq ft exemption.
- Tractor Supply Co.: listed price and side wall, October 5, 2026.
- Alan's Factory Outlet, regular roof: listed price, October 5, 2026.
- Alan's Factory Outlet, vertical roof: listed price, leg heights and gauge, October 5, 2026.
- Keen's Buildings: installed price, leg heights and gauge, October 5, 2026.
- Coast to Coast Carports: listed price and the 12x21 label example, October 5, 2026.
- Direct Metal Structures: listed price and eave height, October 5, 2026.
Last verified:
Last verified: October 2026. Each price row shows the date it was read.
Related guides
- 30 x 12 carport (12x30) size guide360 sq ft, and what fits inside.
- 12 x 12 carport size guideFit, cost and permit rules for 144 sq ft.
- how to read carport dimensionsWidth, length and height, explained.